Patent GB-191103096-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Railways Safe Running Devices.
Inventor: ANGUS ARTHUR REGINALD
IPC: B61L3/10
Filed: 1911-02-07
Granted: 1912-05-07
Abstract: 3096. Angus, A. R. Feb. 7, 1910, [Convention date]. Electrical and combined electrical and mechanical systems, non-automatic; track apparatus actuating signals on trains and for stopping trains; hand - levers; hand - levers, interlocking.-Two-track ramps 69, 67, Fig. 11, are used respectively to complete a testing- circuit and a danger-signalling circuit. The testing-circuit, including a source of electricity carried on the train, passes from the ramp 69 to an electro-magnet 49, and thence through controlling-contacts such as contacts on signal lever, signal, switch points, &c. If the track is clear, this circuit is closed and the electromagnet 49 attracts its armature to form a contact 61. If the track is not clear, the contacts 60, 61 are not separated, and consequently a danger-signal circuit including the track ramp 67 and contacts 60,61 and signalling appliances and a source of electrical energy on the engine is closed. The complete arrangement shown in Fig. 11 is for a single line at a point where there are several alternative routes. Separate signalling-devices 126, 124, 125 in separate circuits are provided for the various routes, and alarm and train-stopping devices 135, 136, 137 are provided in an additional circuit. These circuits are brought to train-circuit terminals 103, 104, 105, 106 respectively, and one or other of them is connected by a sliding contact-rod 97, Figs. 9 and 11, to the track ramp, according to the height to which the rod 97 is lifted by the track ramp. When the rod 97 is over the ramp 67, the circuit including the relay 126 is connected to it. When it is over the ramp 43, which is highest of all, the circuit containing the magnets for operating the whistle, brakevalve, and throttle lever is energized, and the engine is stopped. When the rod is over the ramps 75, 76, the lamp signals 124, 125 respectively are put in circuit. The return portions of these circuits may be by earth or, as shown, by additional track ramps 46 and train contacts 115. Three or more rods 97 are provided on the engine, their terminals 103 ... 6 being connected in parallel as shown. All receive in turn the same signal. The track ramps of the testing- circuits and the return ramps are duplicated at 069, 071, 044, 046 for working in the reverse direction. Additional train contacts are also provided. Train-circuit terminals for forward running are connected to switch contacts 92 ... 95, and those for reverse running to contacts 88...91. One of these sets is connected to central contacts 83 ... 86 bv a switch plate which is connected to the reversing-gear of the engine. Three alternative sources of energy are supplied for the testing-circuits. A dynamo 119 is normally in use, and its circuit includes electro-magnets 141, which, by attracting an armature 165, maintain open the circuits of an accumulator 120 and a cell 121. If the dynamo fails, the contacts 166, 167 are bridged, and the accumulator circuit is closed, the cell circuit being held open at 174 by magnets 173. When the accumulator fails, the cell is put in circuit. A similar arrangement of two accumulators and a cell is provided for the circuit that includes the train-stopping and alarm devices 135 ... 137. This circuit includes an electro-magnetic switch 131, which cuts out the track apparatus and engine contacts and maintains the circuit until the switch is pulled open by hand. The testing-circuit 51, 54 is shown as including contacts 52 and a bridge 65 on a lever 53, which may or may not be a signal or like lever, but the circuit may also include contacts at all signals, points, &c., the condition of which it is necessary to test. Contact is made with the side plates by rods 110, 111, Fig. 10, mounted on horizontal pins 113 and pulled into contact with the side plates by springs 114. The engine contacts 115, 0115 for the return circuit are mounted in casings 117 and pressed downwards by springs 118. The Specification describes the track circiuts for a line and siding, a line with two branches, and a terminus. To interlock two hand-levers 53, 58, Fig. 2, arranged side by side, a lever 053 on a vertical shaft is arranged to permit full movement of one hand-lever only. A hand-lever is locked while a train is in the corresponding tracksection by a plate 272, Fig. 19, having a cruciform slot 275, through the cross-slot of which a bolt-head 270 attached to a hand-lever may pass. The locking-plate 272 is held in position for the passage of the bolt-head hy an electro-magnet 278 included in a circuit with a portion of each track rail with a large resistance between them. When a train enters the section, the total resistance of the circuit is diminished, the energization of the electro-magnet is increased, and the cross-slot is moved out of register with the bolt-head. If the battery energizing the circuit fails, the locking-plate falls and the hand-lever is locked.